http://users.bart.nl/~jamin Premier Manager 97 Life at the top (or indeed near the bottom) is never easy. Premier Manager 97 makes buying, selling and managing your club perhaps as enjoyable as any game, but when it comes down to it there are a few hard and fast rules every budding manager could do with following. MANAGING YOUR TEAM Preparation Keep an eye on your team rating as you make your changes. A good lower division side should aim to be around 60-65. Train players on their best attributes for a more immediate response and success. A good physio is essential. When your star player is kicked black and blue and ends the game looking at weeks or months on the sidelines, the physio can cut that time out in half. General tactics Offensive formations are best. Try to keep at least three in midfield and two up front. This sounds obvious, but the more you're in attack, the more you'll score and the less you'll have to defend. When you start out, the number nine position is where your main striker will play, so make sure you have your best goal scorer there. If you click on the arrows next to the player positions, you'll find all field positions listed. The other roles they can play are shown in white and this comes in very useful when your team is plagued by injuries. Obviously they don't perform quite as well, but it's better than nothing. Team tactics - attacking and defending In the lower divisions you'll probably find more success with the long ball. It can get scrappy down here, and you'll find this style will help you create more chances. Tackle aggressively to keep possession, but be aware that this may lead to a collection of bookings and dismissals - hey, what do you expect, it's tough down there at the bottom of the pile. Defend in zones, only marking specific players (see ÔOpponents' to pick out their playmaker). Clear the ball long - don't pass it out. (It may not always be pretty, but what's known in the trade as Ôplaying the percentages' does tend to work.) A huge win bonus can be a good idea when facing important games such as cup ties, especially if your opponent is from a higher division. A big reward can help to get players to perform well above their usual standard. Opponents The better the assistant manager the more information you can view. Check out top players like Steve McManaman and set a player from your team to man mark him, thereby removing him from most of the action. Make sure you choose the right man for the job, though - lightweight wingers need not apply. THE TRANSFER MARKET Staff Employ the best staff you can afford, especially the scouts. The scout is very important because without accurate player information it's very difficult to negotiate an acceptable contract or offer. A good scout will save you time and money throughout the game. If morale is low amongst some of your players, you may need to call in a professional psychologist. Remember, low morale leads to a dip in form and can be caused by injury, or new signings with higher wages. Modern players, eh. It's not like in the old days, is it? Youth team Investing in the future is essential right from the start. Send out top scouts straight away in search of youth. When you find some, don't forget to train them up and hold on to them until their skills develop fully or the right offer comes along. Transfers A good scout can search for more attributes, but don't be too specific as it'll take him longer and he may miss out on some good buys. To attract good players to a lower division side offer them a free transfer or relegation. A house and car wouldn't go amiss either (if you can afford it). Insure any players on a high wage, as it could save you a fortune on a long-term injury. FINANCE The boardroom Try to avoid taking out too many loans, as regular borrowing can seriously damage your financial position. If you're on a losing streak, try a win bonus to instill some lost hunger. The ground If you want more fans to fill your ground, improve the access to the stadium and build a car park. Basically, a good, modern stadium will be more attractive to potential fans. When you have the cash, improve all your facilities - i.e. club shop, toilets, etc. Deciding whether to improve the ground or buy new players is a tricky decision, but ultimately the fans are paying for much of your club's running. A visit from Liverpool is considerably more attractive than a visit from Barnet, so remember to vary those ticket prices. Be careful not to overcharge massively, though, or you'll end up with an empty ground and a lot less revenue. Making the Difference It's all very well having the principles in place, but when it comes down to it you'll need some specific advice. Signing good players You'll need to use your scout to get as much info on a player as you can. If you check only the transfer list for available players, you'll find their vital information cannot be viewed. As a general rule, approach players primarily in your own division or the ones below. Remember that only Premiership or Division One clubs stand a good chance of signing from abroad. Once you've identified someone you're interested in, the key to success is in the contract. Double the player's yearly terms and wage for immediate success, but bear in mind that you'll need to have a good scout to know his current contract details. Persuading players to stay Too many players leaving at the end of the season can get you the sack, so try to rotate your squad. Ideally, give every player at least a couple of games during the course of the season. If a player takes part in 20 matches, then he may renew his contract automatically. Don't leave contracts too late to renew and always offer the player a minimum of a two-year contract and at least equal his current wage. Stick to this principle and the players should show you some loyalty. Increasing players' value? As manager it's up to you how much you think a player is worth to your squad. If a player is doing especially well, then don't hesitate to up his value. If he thinks he's worth more, he'll certainly want more, so you'll have to negotiate a new wage with him. Discovering youth players? Be sure to employ the youth scout and start the search for youth at the very beginning of the season. Try not to be too specific about what you want as the skill of the youth players is very limited until employed and trained. After the first year, your first player should arrive ready to be trained up. Spend at least another year with him in training before giving him promotion to the first squad, and don't forget to negotiate a contract. Making the game easier? Depending on which mode you play, the skill required will vary. If you want an easy start, use the Manager option and practise with different modes from Trainer to Accountant. If all else fails, picking teams like Manchester United and Newcastle should see you heading for immediate glory. For the maximum challenge start the Pro-Manager option on Total Control and try taking out teams like Mansfield and Exeter. This should rapidly bring you back down to earth and make those days out at Wembley seem like a distant memory.